September 22, 2009

Hey Everyone! I know, I know, I have been gone a while. There has been a lot of fabric and thread flying around in the air around here in preparation for market. Since market is a WHOLE TWO WEEKS EARLY this year, everyone has been going crazy trying to be ready. I think our whole industry will heave a huge sigh of relief when this one is over, so listen carefully because you may actually be able to hear it!

Anyway, I thought I would share my new designs for fall now that most of the sewing is finished and the patterns are currently at the printer. They should be here by the end of next week and be available for purchase the first week of October.

So without further ado, here are the new designs:

The Stella Strip Skirt: Stella is made from pre-cut fabrics, such as jelly rolls (Moda) or you can cut your own strips....it is up to you. This skirt can be made almost entirely with a serger, if you have one...it makes the construction super fast. It also features an easy to wear elastic waist with four rows of elastic. This means that the upper portion of the skirt lays really flat and does not add bulk to your mid section. You can also choose to wear it at the waist or slightly below, as I like to do.

The Emaline Skirt: Emaline is a redesign of Emily. Em was due for a reprint and I decided it was time to freshen her up, make some new samples with new variations, and improve the pattern pieces. For those of you who have worked with this pattern, I made the pleat markings really confusing....sorry! I didn't intend to do it, but the way that Emaline is marked, there will be no confusion at all....wish I had done it this new way to begin with....we all learn as we go along, I guess! There are three basic variations.....plain, pleated, or gathered, with lots of options to add ruffles, bands, and even a wonderful tulle ruffle to the bottom! It can be sleek and casual or ruffled and ultra feminine...your choice!

The Torii Tunic: Torii is my first long sleeve tunic. She has sort of an Asian flair, depending on the fabrics you choose. This design is featured in three lengths so it can be worn with jeans, leggings, or as a dress. You also have the choice to make the sleeves three-quarter or full length. Of course, there are also trim options with contrast at the neckline, sleeves, waist and hem...an obsession of mine! Oh, and you should also know that this design zips up the back...so gear up for that invisible zipper again!

The Bijou Traveler: Bijou is a wonderful travel bag that features two exterior pockets....one being my special media pocket complete with a grommet for your earphone wires. This bag will slip nicely "under the seat in front of you"...if that sounds familiar at all..... The zippered top keeps all your stuff safely inside and the bag also has divided pockets along both interior sides. The long shoulder straps make this bag a breeze to sling over your shoulder and get going!

The Abigail Bag: Abigail is a great shoulder bag in two variations....yoked or gathered, with or without a magnetic or latch tab closure. She features two zippered pockets....one exterior and one interior for keeping your keys, sunglasses and whatever else you have within a fingertip's reach. There is also a high interior pocket so your phone won't get lost! This design is a lot of fun using three different fabrics and is a breeze to sew together.

Little Luxuries Mini-Book: Little Luxuries is a collection of travel organizers for your jewelry, lingerie, and toiletries. These are all quick to sew projects that would make a wonderful gift for the sophisticated traveler in your life. I decided to try a new format with this collection and put them in a small booklet. It is the same physical size as a pattern, but in a booklet form instead....I will be anxious to see what everyone thinks of this! I decided to showcase the new French General fabrics for these....and they turned out so feminine and fun! I can't wait to show them all off at market with their matching Bijou Traveler.....a set to die for!

I would like to take a moment to thank all the generous people out there that make my work so fun....

Moda: thanks for all of the wonderful fabrics!

Michael Miller: Thanks for the fabulous fabric and for promoting the new patterns on your blog...be sure to check them out....Kathy Miller had some wonderful photographs made of her nieces in my new skirt designs....thanks so much, Kathy!

So, that is about it in a nutshell.....let me know what you think....I think I will be doing a giveaway maybe the first part of October for some of these patterns, so stay tuned.....

Oh, and the Sewing Studio, Part II should be ready pretty soon....can't wait to share that with you....it is going to be fabulous!